Brazil’s soya bean exports are expected to grow 4 percent in 2015-16 due to “strong Chinese demand”, according to a report last week released by the United States Department of Agriculture.

The department said Brazilian soya bean exports would reach a record 48 million metric tons in the marketing year of 2015-16.

“The Chinese market is forecast to import record amounts [of soya beans] as a result of its urbanisation, rising incomes and modernisation of the feed and livestock sectors,” the report said.

“Soya beans are the major crop in which China is dependent on imports and Brazil will continue to take advantage of this,” the document noted, adding the South American nation exports over 70 percent of its soybean production to China.

The weakening Brazilian currency, the real, would also help spur soya bean exports, the report added.